Automatic yarn feed apparatus

ABSTRACT

Rotatable disc carrying a plurality of yarn samples to be fed sequentially to a splicing and cutting means to form an endless yarn composed of joined sections to be fed to a yarn tester.

United States Patent I 1191 Clontz Mar. 12, 1974 [54] AUTOMATIC YARN FEED APPARATUS 1,421,151 6/1922 Bennett 57/22 1,675,400 7/1928 Young 57/22 [75] Inventor. Raeford W. Clontz, Charlotte, NC. 1,895,828 H1933 van lnwageny Jr" 57/22 X [73] Assignee: Celanese Corporation, New York, ,362,801 1 H1944 Charnock 57/22 Primary ExaminerJohn Petrakes [22] Flled' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Roderick B. Macleod; [21] Appl. No.: 313,370 Thomas J. Morgan; Stephen D. Murphy [52] US. Cl. 57/22 57 ABSTRACT [51] B65h 69/06 I 58 Field of Search 57/22, '23, 159 ROtatable dlsc carrymg a Pluramy of Yam Samples to be fed sequentially to a splicing and cutting means to [56] References Cited form an endless yarn composed of joined sections to UNITED STATES PATENTS be fed to a yam 629,761 8/1899 Barbour 57/22 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3Q796LO32 SHEEI 1 0F 2 PATENTEDIIAR 12 1914 PATENTEMmz 1914 3796032 sum 2 (IF 2 1 AUTOMATIC YARN FEED APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION It has become increasingly necessary for yarn producers and their customers to be able to rapidly and efficiently test their products for a variety of characteristics which could affect the ultimate use of the yarn..Obviously, off-specification yarn (i.e., yarn which will not perform acceptably in a downstream operation) causes the least damage when discovered prior to the application of downstream processing and/or conversion into fabric form. For example, denier, tenacity, elongation, modulus, coherency, bulk level and dye sensitivity properties of a yarn, among others, often must be within narrow limits or the yarn is downgraded (generally, sold into a less critical application at a lower price) or discarded. The above list of test properties is presented for illustrative purposes only, and is not deemed limiting in any sense.

Sophisticated instruments are available for quickly and automatically testing a yarn to determine one or more characteristics thereof. However, these instruments are only economically attractive when usable to check a large number of yarn samples in a short time span. 7

Continuous filament yarn at every point of itstravel from production until fabric formation is wound in some fashion as an endless string in the form of layers around a core to produce a package of yarn. In most instances, all of the yarn in a single yarn package has had the identical (or at least very similar) history. For example, the yarn would have been extruded over a short time span through the same spinnerette, textured -over a short time span at the same position on a multiposition machine, etc. For purposes of this discussion, spun staple yarn has been excluded although the same would be true of it beginning with spinning into endless yarn form. Because of the common history of allthe yarn in a single yarn package, a small sample of that yarn is deemed representative of the entire package. Therefore, to achieve maximum utilization of testing equipment, it becomes necessary to be able to rapidly, sequentially (although simultaneous yarn feeding may be appropiate in some instances) and continuously feed short segments of yarn from a plurality of yarn packages into the testing apparatus. Today, the limiting factor is not speed of analysis by the testing equipment, but ability to continuously feed yarn samples into the tester to achieve 10 p er cent time utilization of the testing machine.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a yarn feeding apparatus adapted to rapidly and continuously feed a plurality of yarns in sequential fashion to a yarn tester.

It is another object of this invention to provide a yarn feeding apparatus of the above type which can be reloaded while operating so that an endless supply of yarn samples is available for testing.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a yarn feed apparatus including automatic yarn cutting and joining means so that a plurality of yarn samples can be continuously supplied in sequential, joined, endless fashion to a yarn tester.

Another object of this-invention is to provide a compact, table-top size yarn feed apparatus adapted to be operatively connected with any type of yarn testing apparatus capable of handling incrementally or continuously a supply of yarn samples in the form of an endless threadline.

A further object of this invention is to provide yarn feed apparatus operable with a variety of yarn joining means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a high speed yarn feed apparatus capable of supplying a plurality of yarn samples, from individual yarn bobbins, in sequential joined fashion in theform of an endless yarn to a yarn tester at at least 400 meters per minute.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention hereinafter.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a yarn feed apparatus capable of sequentially supplying samples from a plurality of individual yarns in endless, joined, continuous, uninterrupted fashion to a yarn testing device.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and process for forming a single' endless threadline by joining together in sequence individual yarn segments from a plurality of yarns. The individual yarn segments, which are severed from longer yarn samples (most usually from full packages of yarn) are joined in sequential arrangement to form the endless threadline.

The apparatus of the invention includes at least one rotatable disc, and in certain embodiments, two rotatable discs. The at least one rotatable disc is a yarn feed disc having a plurality of individual yarn stations around its edge. As the disc rotates toward stationary yarn joining and severing means, yarn guide and yarn retaining means at each yarn station, usually in cooperation with guide means integral with the joining and severing means, guides the yarn into the joiner and severer.

The manner in which the apparatus is threaded is important to result in the formation of the endless test threadline; therefore, the apparatus as a whole in arrangement to perform the functions described herein, includes yarn samples threaded therethrough. Each yarn sample is threaded through one yarn station and then in unsevered condition through the adjacent yarn station toward the joining and severing means. The free ends of the yarn sample are then retained (when the yarn sample is a package of yarn, one free end is retained on the apparatus and the other free end will be the inner end of yarn of the package) in some manner. Each yarn sample is threaded through the apparatus in this manner, starting with the next station further away from the yarn joiner and severer without passing over any yarn station. The result is a pair of yarns at each yarn station, with each yarn sample being one of a pair of yarns at two adjacent yarn stations. The yarns are severed'toward their ends as compared to the point of joining; therefore, producing an endless threadline formed of a segment from each yarn sample.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a second yarn guide disc described in detail hereinbelow rotatable in synchronization with the first disc and being in axial alignment and juxtaposition therewith. The second disc carries yarn guiding elements which aid in the threading, guiding and retaining of yarn samples during operation.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, multiple yarn end tie down means is provided on the outside face of the first disc.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the yarn joining and cutting means comprises an air splicer adapted to operate in conjunction with the feeding of the spliced yarn at least 400 meters per minute to yarn testing apparatus.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 of the Drawing is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the yarn feed apparatus of the invention, partly broken away to show the complete outside face of the yarn feed disc.

FIG. 2 of the Drawing is a side view of the yarn feed apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 of the Drawing is a block diagram illustrating schematically how the yarn feed apparatus of the invention functions to feed a plurality of yarn samples in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE DRAWING FIG. 3 of the Drawing illustrates the functioning and spatial relationship of the yarn feeding apparatus of the invention (Block B) in association with and operatively connected with a yarn creel (Block C") and a yarn tester (Block A).'

A plurality of yarn packages are creeled in a known manner on creel C. Of course in conjunction with the high speed embodiments of the invention, automatic creeling procedures and devices could be employed. The leading yarn end of each yarnpackage is threaded through the yarn feed apparatus. The remaining Figures of the Drawing more particularly illustrate the yarn path through the feed apparatus.

- Endless yarn composed of short segments from each of yarn ends 1, 2, 3, is advancing through the tester A" in the direction shown. Yarn 10 would usually be wound onto a waste bobbin on or adjacent the yarn tester. As each yarn end is joined to the preceding yarn sample, that is, yarn 2 is joined to yarn l at point 4 and so on, it is severed from the yarn feed apparatus. In FIG. 3, only sample yarn end 3 is still held by the yarn feed apparatus and it will be severed therefrom as soon as the'next sample is joined to it. In FIG. 3, yarn ends 1 and 2 have been severed, but sections thereof form part of endless yarn 10.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and edge (side) views of yarn feeding apparatus, and reference is made thereto.

Yarn feed disc 12 rotates about an axis 14 partly within a housing generally indicated at 16. It should be understood that the section of the disc below housing front 18 would normally not be visible. The yarn feed disc is rotated by a motor and. gearing arrangement not shown, for example a worm screw drive could be used operating off of a drive pulley. Yarn joining and cutting means 20 with associated guide 22 is fixedly mounted by mounting post 24 so that yarn samples are sequentially fed thereto by the rotation of feed disc 12. A series of primary yarn guides one for each feed yarn position, are carried along the peripheral edge portion 44 of the feed disc to cooperate with yarn guide 22 in feeding each yarn end sequentially to the yarn joining and cutting means. In the illustrated embodiment of the in vention there is shown a series of pigtail guides, each designated 100, to act as primary guides to carry out this function.

Separate feed yarn positions are indicated generally by short lines, each designated 28. Although now shown, positions 28 would continue around the entire edge of the disc. Pigtail guides are raised and offset toward the outside face 30 of the feed disc to present the yarn ends to throat 32 formed between guide bars 34 and 36 leading to the mouth of the yarn joining and cutting insert 20. Yarn guide bars 34 and 36, each with outwardly flaring entrance portion, respectively designated 38 and 40, have the same curvature as edge. 44 of the yarn feed disc and are fixedly mounted offset therefrom so that successive yar'n ends, as threaded in the yarn feed apparatus, pass along a small gap 46 formed therebetween during disc rotation. Thus, the guideway and yarn joiner cutter are stationary while the yarn feed disc continuously presents yarn end samples thereto.

Spaced along outer face 30 are a plurality of yarn free end retainers 48, one of which is shown in detailed cross section FIG. 5 and described in detail below. A plurality of yarn ends are retained by each retainer 48 Pigtails 26 act as auxilliary yarn guides betweenprimary yarn positioners 100 and yarn retainers 48.

In order to properly guide the yarn into the guideway and yarn joiner cutter, there is provided a second yarn guide rotating disc 50, as clearly seen in FIG. 2. Disc 50 is rotatably synchronized with feed disc 12 by means of common axis of rotation 14 and common rotatably driven shaft 52. Each yarn position 54 on disc 50 is in alignment with a yarn position 28 on the yarn feed disc. A yarn guide 56 is carried at each yarn position around the edge of disc 50. As illustrated, each yarn guide bar 56 comprises two straight segments 58 and 60. joined at an elbow point 62.

As illustrated in detail by FIG. 4, two adjacent guide bars 56 in cooperation with two primary yarn guides 100, enable the threading of each successive yarn end in the correct yarn path for sequential joining into a single threadline formed of a plurality of segments from previously unconnected yarns.

In FIG. 4, two adjacent bars 56 are denoted 102, 104 and disc 50 to which they would be attached would be rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow 106. First yarn and 108 (broken line) and second yarn end 110 (solid line) are initially tied down by yarn end retainer 48, which schematically is shown to be in the same plane-as-the yarns 108 and 110. Two primary yarn guides 100 are denoted l 12, 114 in FIG. 4. At the point in the joining process illustrated in FIG. 4, the first yarn 108 has been joined to continuous threadline 116 (threadline 10 of FIG. 3) and yarn 110 is approaching the cutter joiner 20. As is seen, yarn 110 is threaded from the creel, not shown, first through a primary yarn guide 112 on yarn feed disc l2,then around the yarn guide bar on the yarn guide disc 50 which is directly across from the primary yarn guide 112. Yarn 110 is then threaded around the yarn guide bar 104, which is the yarn guide bar at the yarn position just in advance of guide bar 102. From guide bar 104, the yarn 110 passes back across to the yarn feed disc to be engaged by the primary yarn guide 114, directly across from guide bar At this point, first yarn 108 is still engaged by guide bar 104. Upon further synchronized rotation of both rotating discs, the portions of yarns 108 and 110 bounded by primary guide 114 and guide bar 104 will be fed to the joiner cutter 20. It should be understood that in a dynamic testing apparatus, yarn 108, which is already part of threadline 116, could be continuously advancing at a given speed or be stationary during the severing splicing operation. The joiner cutter, in rapid sequential, nearly instantaneous fashion, will join yarns 108 and 110 at point 120 and sever both of the yarns at point 122. In this manner, yarn 110 becomes part of continuous multi-component threadline 116, forming a segment thereof immediately after a segment formed of yarn 108. Then, the segment of yarn 108 passing to the tester does not remain connected to the creel and yarn 110 replaces it as the supply segment of threadline 116 being fed to a yarn tester, such as denier checker, coherency determinator and the like, not shown. Dotted line 300 represents part of the yarn sample from the adjacent upstream yarn station, not shown.

The yarn joiner cutter can be of many different types and constructions obvious to those skilled in the art. For example a Uster Knotter Model 271934, Size 1 manufactured by the Uster Company of Charlotte, North Carolina, can be employed. I

When a Knotter such as the Uster Model 271934 is employed (or other joining severing apparatus which takes about 3 4 seconds or longer to completely perform the joining severing function) it is more-advantageous to advance the rotating discs incremently instead of continuously. The motor to drive the rotating discs about their common axle is programmed to advance them the distance necessary to present the yarns of each position is sequential fashion to the joining cutting mechanism. A timer can be employed or the motor on" switch can be set to be activated by the completion of the joining cutting cycle. Generally, it is highly desirable to construct the feeding apparatus so that it is wholly automatic with the exception of requiring occasional stringing-up when the feed yarn supply is nearly exhausted. When used in conjunction with the Uster Model 271934 Knotter, it is envisioned that the feed apparatus need only be restrung about once every 8 hours. To obtain complete automation, microswitch and associated sensor 126 in housing 200 are designed to activate the joiner cutter mechanism (through means not shown) in response to activating screws 128 positioned around the back face 130 of disc 12. Screws 128, two of which are shown in FIG. 2, are circularly spaced near the periphery of the back face 130 at predetermined locations to be in sensing alignment with the microswitch sensor each time the rotating discs stop with yarn pairs in proper joining severing position.

With the use of high speed joining severing mechanisms, continuous disc rotation at a predetermined speed could be used. Continuous rotation can be obtained by the proper selection of motor and gearing, as is known to those skilled in the art. For high speed operation, where a plurality of yarns are to be treated by the feeder per minute, an air splicer with associated cutting mechanisms can be employed. For example, an insert comprising the air splicer of U. S. Pat. No. 3,487,618 with an associated cutting knife blade or hot wire yarn severer would be suitable. The air splicer severer would be activated each time on activating screw 128 passed in front of the microswitch and sensor unit 126. Under high speed operational conditions, a threading operator would be in constant attendance to continually string up the feeder, thereby maintaining a constant supply of feed yams for continuous operation.

FIG. 5 illustrates in detailed cross-sectional view, one type of multiple yarn end retainer 48. Retainer 48, as shown, is a spring loaded screw 132 passing through disc 12 and having an enlarged base 134. A washer 140 having an inwardly curved edge 138 for ease of yarn insertion thereunder is fitted between the head 142 of the screw 132 and recess 150 in face 30 of disc 12.

. Coiled spring 144, positioned between disc 12 and base 134, is selected to provide the proper tension to the screw so that the yarn ends are easily slipped under washer while being held between the washer and disc without being dislodged during feeder operation.

Variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 claim:

1. An apparatus for forming a single endless threadline by joining together in sequence individual yarn segments from a plurality of yarns, said segments being joined in sequential arrangement to form said endless threadline, which comprises: I

a. arotatable feed disc;

1).. means to rotate said disc about its axis of rotation;

c. a plurality of individual yarn stations spaced around at least a portion of the edge of said disc;

d. yarn joining and severing means positioned to sequentially receive pairs of yarns from individual yarn stations as said disc is rotated about its axis and to join each pair of yarns at a first given joining point and to sever each yarn of said pair of yarns at a second given severance point;

e. yarn guiding and holding means to hold-a pair'of yarns at each yarn station and to guide said pair of yarns to said joining and severing means as said disc is rotated;

f. a plurality of continuous yarn samples carried by said apparatus, each of said yarn samples being threaded, in turn, consecutively through a first yarn station and then continuously through the adjacent yarn station in advance of said first yarn station toward said joining and severing means, and being engaged by said holding and guiding means at both of said yarn stations, thereby forming pairs of yarns at each yarn station with each yarn sample being one of a pair of yarns at each of two adjacent yarn stations, and with said first given point of yarn joining being positioned so that a continuous threadline is formed as said pairs of yarns are sequentially joined and said second given point of yarn severing being positioned to sever said joined yarn segments from said yarn samples.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a second guide disc rotatable in synchronization with said rotatable feed disc and being axially aligned and in juxtaposition therewith, said second disc having a plurality of yarn stations spaced around its edge, each of said yarn stations being aligned with a yarn station of said rotatable feed disc and having yarn guiding means, each of said yam samples being threaded sequentially through a first yarn station on said feed disc, through the yarn station on said guide disc in alignment with said first yarn station, to and through the adjacent yarn station on said guide disc in advance of said first yarn station toward said joining and severing means and to and through the yarn station onsaid feed disc in alignment with said adjacent yarn guide disc station.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 having a yarn guide bar at each of said guide disc yarn stations.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including multiple yarn and retaining means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said multiple yarn end retaining means is a spring loaded washer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 including sensing means and means to automatically incrementally rotate said disc in response to said sensing means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said yarn joining and severing means includes an air splicer joining means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including means to continuously rotate said disc.

9. An apparatus for forming a single endless threadline by joining together in sequence individual yarn segments from a plurality of yarns, said segments being joined in sequential arrangement to form said endless threadline, which comprises:

a. a rotatable feed disc;

b. means to rotate said disc about its axis of rotation;

c. a plurality of individual yam stations spaced around at least a portion of the edge of said disc;

d. yarn joining and severing means positioned to sequentially receive pairs of yarns from individual yarn stations as said disc is rotated about its axis and to join each pair of yarns at a first given joining point and to sever each yarn of said pair of yarns at a second given severance point and e. yarn guiding and holding means tohold a pair of yarns at each yarn station and to guide said pair of yarns to said joining and severing means as said disc is rotated.

10. The apparatus of claim' 9 including a second guide disc rotatable in synchronization with said rotatable feed disc and being axially aligned and in juxtaposition therewith, said second disc having a plurality of yarn stations spaced around its edge, each of said yarn stations being aligned with a yarn station of said rotatable feed disc and having yarn guide means. 

1. An apparatus for forming a single endless threadline by joining together in sequence individual yarn segments from a plurality of yarns, said segments being joined in sequential arrangement to form said endless threadline, which comprises: a. a rotatable feed disc; b. means to rotate said disc about its axis of rotation; c. a plurality of individual yarn stations spaced around at least a portion of the edge of said disc; d. yarn joining and severing means positioned to sequentially receive pairs of yarns from individual yarn stations as said disc is rotated about its axis and to join each pair of yarns at a first given joining point and to sever each yarn of said pair of yarns at a second given severance point; e. yarn guiding and holding means to hold a pair of yarns at each yarn station and to guide said pair of yarns to said joining and severing means as said disc is rotated; f. a plurality of continuous yarn samples carried by said apparatus, each of said yarn samples being threaded, in turn, consecutively through a first yarn station and then Continuously through the adjacent yarn station in advance of said first yarn station toward said joining and severing means, and being engaged by said holding and guiding means at both of said yarn stations, thereby forming pairs of yarns at each yarn station with each yarn sample being one of a pair of yarns at each of two adjacent yarn stations, and with said first given point of yarn joining being positioned so that a continuous threadline is formed as said pairs of yarns are sequentially joined and said second given point of yarn severing being positioned to sever said joined yarn segments from said yarn samples.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 including a second guide disc rotatable in synchronization with said rotatable feed disc and being axially aligned and in juxtaposition therewith, said second disc having a plurality of yarn stations spaced around its edge, each of said yarn stations being aligned with a yarn station of said rotatable feed disc and having yarn guiding means, each of said yarn samples being threaded sequentially through a first yarn station on said feed disc, through the yarn station on said guide disc in alignment with said first yarn station, to and through the adjacent yarn station on said guide disc in advance of said first yarn station toward said joining and severing means and to and through the yarn station on said feed disc in alignment with said adjacent yarn guide disc station.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 having a yarn guide bar at each of said guide disc yarn stations.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including multiple yarn and retaining means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said multiple yarn end retaining means is a spring loaded washer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including sensing means and means to automatically incrementally rotate said disc in response to said sensing means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said yarn joining and severing means includes an air splicer joining means.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including means to continuously rotate said disc.
 9. An apparatus for forming a single endless threadline by joining together in sequence individual yarn segments from a plurality of yarns, said segments being joined in sequential arrangement to form said endless threadline, which comprises: a. a rotatable feed disc; b. means to rotate said disc about its axis of rotation; c. a plurality of individual yarn stations spaced around at least a portion of the edge of said disc; d. yarn joining and severing means positioned to sequentially receive pairs of yarns from individual yarn stations as said disc is rotated about its axis and to join each pair of yarns at a first given joining point and to sever each yarn of said pair of yarns at a second given severance point and e. yarn guiding and holding means to hold a pair of yarns at each yarn station and to guide said pair of yarns to said joining and severing means as said disc is rotated.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 including a second guide disc rotatable in synchronization with said rotatable feed disc and being axially aligned and in juxtaposition therewith, said second disc having a plurality of yarn stations spaced around its edge, each of said yarn stations being aligned with a yarn station of said rotatable feed disc and having yarn guide means. 